WILLIAMS, Thomas Wheeler, a Representative from Connecticut;
born in Stonington, Conn., September 28, 1789;
attended the public schools;
at the age of fifteen was employed as a clerk in New York City, and before he was twenty-one was employed on a business mission to Norway, Sweden, and Russia;
for about eight years was engaged in the shipping business;
moved to New London, Conn., in 1818 and became a prominent figure in the whaling business;
elected as a Whig to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1843);
chairman, Committee on Mileage (Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses);
member of the State house of representatives in 1846 and 1847;
president of the New London, Willamantic and Palmer Railroad (later the New London Northern Railroad) in 1847 and for many years thereafter;
died in New London, Conn., December 31, 1874;
interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery.